~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

more on Monsanto

12/03/2013 Nativegrl77

SierraRise -- Why stand apart, when we can rise together?

Share this image and spread the word: Monsanto can’t buy us out! We deserve to know what’s in our food!

Monsanto and their friends just broke a record.
But it’s not the New York marathon — it’s the record for most money spent on an initiative in Washington state’s history. ^[1] That’s how scared they are of labeling — not banning, just labeling — their GMO food. What are they hiding?
Americans like outlaw star Willie Nelson are sick of it. Willie, a long-time friend to both family farmers and progressive causes, is just one of millions of citizens raising his voice.
That’s why the tide is turning. Just last month, you helped defeat the deceptive Monsanto Protection Act in Congress. And while Monsanto may have squeaked out a win in Washington state, an initiative is already planned for Oregon next. States throughout the northeast, from New York to Maine, are also considering GMO legislation. Folks across the country are learning about GMOs and they don’t like what they’re hearing.
Monsanto can’t buy us out. Together, we can get the truth out there and bring more support to the fight for our food!
Share this inspiring message from Willie Nelson and invite more people to join the fight for our food!
(Not on Facebook? No problem, click here to email this message to your friends.)
From great songs like “On the Road Again” to his pioneering work on behalf of family farmers with Farm Aid, everyone can agree that Willie is an American icon. With your help and an inspiring message from the Red Headed Stranger, we can get people’s attention and let them know the truth about GMOs. Together, we can grow the movement for a future where our food is grown by farmers, not in a laboratory!
Will you spread the word to your friends and family by sharing this great image? Monsanto might be able to drop millions, but we have something better — you.
In it together,
Ashley Allison SierraRise Senior Campaigner
P.S. Forward this email to your friends and together let’s build the movement to save our food.

References:
[1] Le, Phuong (2013 October 29). “Record-breaking sums of money pour into state’s food labeling fight.“KOMONews.com.

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Eye on the Amazon: The truth has no place in Chevron’s sham trial

12/03/2013 Nativegrl77

In what is one of the most unlikely and significant victories in environmental and human rights history, 30,000 indigenous people and campesinos won a $9.5 billion judgment in a class action suit after 20 years of ugly legal battles (now upheld by Ecuador‘s highest court). Unlikely because of the unprecedented and overwhelming pressure placed on the plaintiffs, their supporters, Ecuador and the Ecuadorian judicial system. And significant as it sets an encouraging precedent that those victimized by powerful corporate forces have hope for justice and a way to fight back.So how on Earth could this victory be so ridiculously, unethically and illegally turned on its head and evolve into the shocking display that just played out in a US Federal Court? And what repercussions and worrisome precedents could such reckless actions hold for corporate accountability and legal processes around the world?

Read the rest on Eye on the Amazon »

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Coca-Cola

12/03/2013 Nativegrl77

Coca-Cola: Stop funding anti GMO labeling campaigns

By Ocean Robbins and the Food Revolution Network

Soquel, California

The public just learned that Coca-Cola has secretly contributed more than a million dollars to campaign against the labeling of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). In addition to its soft drinks, the company owns many brands marketed as healthier alternatives, including Honest Tea, Powerade, Odwalla, Vitamin Water and Simply Orange. Coca-Cola’s CEO, Muhtar Kent, says, “We have provided a tremendous amount of choice to people.” But when it comes to your right to know how your food was produced, Coca-Cola has joined biotech giant Monsanto in trying to keep you in the dark.

In late October 2013, Coca-Cola was discovered to have made more than $1 million in secret contributions to the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA). This money went directly to the GMA’s fight against labeling of GMOs in Washington State. The Washington state Attorney General says that the GMA violated the state’s campaign disclosure laws when it bundled more than $11 million for the anti-labeling fight, while shielding the identities of the companies, led by Coca-Cola, who were donating that money.

Many companies, including Dole Food Company, and Mars, Inc., have responded to consumer pressure and stopped giving money to fight GMO labeling. We are calling on Coca-Cola to join them.

While sales of Coca-Cola’s carbonated soft drinks have recently been dropping, the company’s financial future is increasingly tied to the brands it markets as healthier, including Honest Tea, Powerade, Odwalla, Vitamin Water and Simply Orange. It’s time for company policy to respond to its customer’s growing level of health consciousness and demand for consumer choice.

Join us and sign our petition urging Coca-Cola to stop funding efforts to block the labeling of GMOs.

For more information, visit www.cokeboycott.com.

Black History

the Senate CONGRESS 12/3 the House considers clean water,fed land trust

12/03/2013 Nativegrl77

Family

The Senate will convene at 2:00pm on Monday, December 9, 2013.

Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business until 4:00pm with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.

Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of S.1197, the National Defense Authorization to allow the Chairman and Ranking Member to provide a status update on the bill.

At 5:00pm, the Senate will proceed to Executive Session to consider Executive Calendar #327, the nomination of Patricia Ann Millett, of Virginia, to be United States Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit, post-cloture. There will be up to 30 minutes of debate equally divided and controlled in the usual form. At 5:30pm, all post-cloture time will be expired and there will be a roll call vote on confirmation of the Millett nomination.

===============================================================

Last Floor Action:12/3
6:54:21 P.M. – The House adjourned.

The
next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on December 4, 2013.

Last Floor Action:12/2
10:01:47 P.M. – The House adjourned.

The
next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on December 3, 2013.

10:00:00 A.M.		The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
10:00:17 A.M.		LaMalfa to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
10:00:37 A.M.		MORNING-HOUR DEBATE – The House proceeded with Morning-Hour Debate. At the conclusion of Morning-Hour, the House will recess until 12:00 p.m. for the start of legislative business.
10:51:49 A.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:00 P.M. today.
12:00:58 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of December 3.
12:01:05 P.M.		Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
12:02:31 P.M.		The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
12:02:32 P.M.		PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Ms. Hahn to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
12:02:56 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with one minute speeches, which by direction of the Chair would be limited to 15 per side of the aisle.
12:34:54 P.M.		The Speaker announced that votes on suspensions, if ordered, will be postponed until a time to be announced.
12:35:07 P.M.	H.R. 1095	Mr. McCaul moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 1095 — “To amend title 49, United States Code, to direct the Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security (Transportation Security Administration) to transfer unclaimed money recovered at airport security checkpoints to nonprofit organizations that provide places of rest and recuperation at airports for members of the Armed Forces and their families, and for other purposes.”
12:36:02 P.M.	H.R. 1095	Considered under suspension of the rules.
12:36:04 P.M.	H.R. 1095	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1095.
12:46:49 P.M.	H.R. 1095	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
12:47:27 P.M.	H.R. 2719	Mr. McCaul moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 2719 — “To require the Transportation Security Administration to implement best practices and improve transparency with regard to technology acquisition programs, and for other purposes.”
12:47:38 P.M.	H.R. 2719	Considered under suspension of the rules.
12:47:39 P.M.	H.R. 2719	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2719.
12:58:09 P.M.	H.R. 2719	At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
12:58:36 P.M.	H.R. 1204	Mr. McCaul moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 1204 — “To amend title 49, United States Code, to direct the Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security (Transportation Security Administration) to establish an Aviation Security Advisory Committee, and for other purposes.”
12:58:52 P.M.	H.R. 1204	Considered under suspension of the rules.
12:58:56 P.M.	H.R. 1204	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1204.
1:11:11 P.M.	H.R. 1204	At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
1:12:15 P.M.	H.R. 3626	Mr. Coble moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 3626 — “To extend the Undetectable Firearms Act of 1988 for 10 years.”
1:12:25 P.M.	H.R. 3626	Considered under suspension of the rules.
1:12:28 P.M.	H.R. 3626	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3626.
1:22:22 P.M.	H.R. 3626	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
1:23:02 P.M.	H.R. 255	Mr. McClintock moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 255 — “To amend certain definitions contained in the Provo River Project Transfer Act for purposes of clarifying certain property descriptions, and for other purposes.”
1:23:10 P.M.	H.R. 255	Considered under suspension of the rules.
1:23:14 P.M.	H.R. 255	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 255.
1:27:45 P.M.	H.R. 255	At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
1:27:47 P.M.	H.R. 2388	Mr. McClintock moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 2388 — “To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to take certain Federal lands located in El Dorado County, California, into trust for the benefit of the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians, and for other purposes.”
1:28:37 P.M.	H.R. 2388	Considered under suspension of the rules.
1:28:40 P.M.	H.R. 2388	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2388.
1:36:34 P.M.	H.R. 2388	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
1:36:42 P.M.	H.R. 2388	The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
1:36:44 P.M.	H.R. 1963	Mr. McClintock moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 1963 — “To amend the Water Conservation and Utilization Act to authorize the development of non-Federal hydropower and issuance of leases of power privileges at projects constructed pursuant to the authority of the Water Conservation and Utilization Act, and for other purposes.”
1:37:23 P.M.	H.R. 1963	Considered under suspension of the rules.
1:37:26 P.M.	H.R. 1963	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1963.
1:43:42 P.M.	H.R. 1963	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
1:44:02 P.M.	H.R. 1241	Mr. McClintock moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 1241 — “To facilitate a land exchange involving certain National Forest System lands in the Inyo National Forest, and for other purposes.”
1:44:16 P.M.	H.R. 1241	Considered under suspension of the rules.
1:44:21 P.M.	H.R. 1241	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1241.
1:48:54 P.M.	H.R. 1241	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
1:49:24 P.M.	H.R. 1846	Mr. McClintock moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 1846 — “To amend the Act establishing the Lower East Side Tenement National Historic Site, and for other purposes.”
1:49:35 P.M.	H.R. 1846	Considered under suspension of the rules.
1:49:36 P.M.	H.R. 1846	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1846.

2:00:23 P.M.	H.R. 1846	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
2:00:39 P.M.	H.R. 2650	Mr. McClintock moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. H.R. 2650 — “To allow the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa in the State of Minnesota to lease or transfer certain land.”
2:00:59 P.M.	H.R. 2650	Considered under suspension of the rules.
2:01:01 P.M.	H.R. 2650	DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2650.
2:09:10 P.M.	H.R. 2650	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
2:09:39 P.M.		UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question of adoption of motions to suspend the rules which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
2:10:17 P.M.	H.R. 255	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 255 — “To amend certain definitions contained in the Provo River Project Transfer Act for purposes of clarifying certain property descriptions, and for other purposes.”
2:35:29 P.M.	H.R. 255	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 406 – 0 (Roll no. 615).
2:35:40 P.M.	H.R. 2719	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 2719 — “To require the Transportation Security Administration to implement best practices and improve transparency with regard to technology acquisition programs, and for other purposes.”
2:44:00 P.M.	H.R. 2719	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 416 – 0 (Roll no. 616).
2:44:23 P.M.	H.R. 1204	Considered as unfinished business. H.R. 1204 — “To amend title 49, United States Code, to direct the Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security (Transportation Security Administration) to establish an Aviation Security Advisory Committee, and for other purposes.”
2:51:19 P.M.	H.R. 1204	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 411 – 3 (Roll no. 617).
2:55:12 P.M.		MOMENT OF SILENCE – The Chair led the House in observing a moment of silence in remembrance of the victims of the train derailment in New York City on December 1, 2013.
3:01:10 P.M.		ONE MINUTE SPEECHES – The House proceeded with further one minute speeches.
3:06:23 P.M.		SPECIAL ORDER SPEECHES – The House has concluded all anticipated legislative business and has proceeded to Special Order speeches.
5:47:53 P.M.		The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.
6:53:00 P.M.		The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of December 3.
6:53:20 P.M.		Mr. Nugent filed a report from the Committee on Rules on H. Res. 429.
6:54:00 P.M.		Mr. Nugent moved that the House do now adjourn.
6:54:18 P.M.		On motion to adjourn Agreed to by voice vote.
6:54:21 P.M.		The House adjourned.The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on December 4, 2013.